Portable percussive massage device

ABSTRACT

A percussive massage device that includes a housing that defines a housing interior, a battery, a motor positioned in the housing, a switch for activating the motor, and a reciprocating shaft operatively connected to the motor and configured to reciprocate in response to activation of the motor. The reciprocating shaft includes a distal end that defines a reciprocation axis. The housing includes a first side portion and a second side portion that cooperate to define the housing interior and are defined on opposite sides of the reciprocation axis.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/190,955, filed Mar. 3, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/824,328, filed Mar. 19, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No.10,945,915, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 29/708,815, filed Oct. 9, 2019. U.S. patent application Ser.No. 16/824,328 also claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/899,098, filed Sep. 11, 2019, and U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/844,424, filed May 7, 2019. All applicationslisted above are incorporated by reference in their entireties herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a percussive massage device,and more particularly to a portable percussive massage device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Percussive massage devices have become increasingly popular in recentyears.

However, they often can be bulky and difficult to transport in a gym bagor the like.

SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there isprovided a percussive massage device that includes a housing thatdefines a housing interior, a battery, a motor positioned in thehousing, a switch for activating the motor, and a reciprocating shaftoperatively connected to the motor and configured to reciprocate inresponse to activation of the motor. In a preferred embodiment, thereciprocating shaft includes a distal end that defines a reciprocationaxis. The housing includes a first side portion and a second sideportion that cooperate to define the housing interior and are defined onopposite sides of the reciprocation axis. The motor is positioned in thefirst side portion and the battery is positioned in the second sideportion. Preferably, the first side portion and second side portion aregenerally symmetrical. In a preferred embodiment, the housing defines ahousing axis, and the reciprocation axis and the housing axis areco-axial. In a preferred embodiment, the motor includes a rotatablemotor shaft that defines a motor axis that is perpendicular to thereciprocation axis and extends through the battery.

In a preferred embodiment, the percussive massage device includes amotor mount bracket that includes a middle member having first andsecond opposite sides. The motor is positioned on the first side of themiddle member and the reciprocating shaft is positioned on the secondside of the middle member. Preferably, the middle member includes ashaft opening defined therein and the motors rotatable motor shaftextends from the first side of the middle member, through the shaftopening and to the second side of the middle member. The reciprocatingshaft is operatively connected to the motor shaft. In a preferredembodiment, the housing includes first and second housing halves. Themotor mount bracket is secured to both of the first and second housinghalves. Preferably, the motor mount bracket is secured to the firsthousing half via an interference fit and to the second housing half viathreaded fasteners. In a preferred embodiment, the interference fitincludes one of a tubular member and a securing post disposed on thehousing and the other of the tubular member and the securing postdisposed on the motor mount bracket, and the securing post is receivedin the tubular member.

In a preferred embodiment, the percussive massage device also includes abush assembly through which the reciprocating shaft reciprocates. Thebush assembly includes first and second dampening halves on oppositesides thereof that are positioned between the bush assembly and thehousing. Preferably, the first and second dampening halves includesecuring protrusions extending outwardly therefrom that are received insecuring opening defined in the housing.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there isprovided a percussive massage device that includes a housing thatdefines a housing interior and a housing axis, a battery, a motorpositioned in the housing, a switch for activating the motor, and areciprocating shaft operatively connected to the motor and configured toreciprocate in response to activation of the motor. The motor includes arotatable motor shaft that defines a motor axis that is perpendicular tothe reciprocation axis and extends through the battery. Thereciprocating shaft includes a distal end that defines a reciprocationaxis. The housing includes a first side portion and a second sideportion that cooperate to define the housing interior and are defined onopposite sides of the reciprocation axis. The motor is positioned in thefirst side portion and the battery is positioned in the second sideportion. The first side portion and second side portion are generallysymmetrical and the reciprocation axis and the housing axis areco-axial.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there isprovided a method of using a percussive massage device that includes ahousing that defines a housing interior, a battery, a motor positionedin the housing, a switch for activating the motor, and a reciprocatingshaft operatively connected to the motor and configured to reciprocatein response to activation of the motor. The reciprocating shaft includesa distal end that defines a reciprocation axis. The method includesgrasping the housing with a first hand having a palm, positioning thefirst hand such that the reciprocation axis extends through the palm,and massaging a first body part with a massage attachment removablyconnected to the distal end of the reciprocating shaft.

In a preferred embodiment, the housing includes a first side portion anda second side portion that cooperate to define the housing interior andare defined on opposite sides of the reciprocation axis and the motor ispositioned in the first side portion and the battery is positioned inthe second side portion.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is a percussive massagedevice that is more compact than many others taught in the prior art. Ina preferred embodiment, the device includes a brushless motor thatincludes the necessary torque in a relatively small space. In apreferred embodiment, the device is shaped to ergonomically fit into auser's palm and the structure of the device is such that when the deviceis held in a user's hand, the user is placing generally linear forcefrom their palm through the housing and to the massage member.Preferably, the outer housing tapers from the top toward the openingthrough which the reciprocal shaft extends.

In a preferred embodiment, the device includes a motor mount thatincludes threaded fasteners that connect to one side of the housing. Thedevice includes a bush through which the shaft runs and a bush holder inwhich the bush resides. In a preferred embodiment, the device is smallenough to fit in a ski jacket or a purse. Due to the symmetrical natureof the device, the weight distribution and compactness makes the deviceeasy to use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable percussive massage device inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the percussive massage device withone housing half removed;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the percussive massage device;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the percussive massage devicefrom the opposite side of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a percussive massage devicewith a unitary motor mount bracket and bush holding structure;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side elevation taken along line 6-6 of FIG.1;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the percussive massage device beinggrasped by a user; and

FIG. 8 is a rear elevational view of the percussive massage device beinggrasped by a user.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of thedrawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description and drawings are illustrative and are not tobe construed as limiting. Numerous specific details are described toprovide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, in certaininstances, well-known or conventional details are not described in orderto avoid obscuring the description. References to one or an embodimentin the present disclosure can be, but not necessarily are references tothe same embodiment; and, such references mean at least one of theembodiments.

Reference in this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment”means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic describedin connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodimentof the-disclosure. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” invarious places in the specification are not necessarily all referring tothe same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodimentsmutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features aredescribed which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others.Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirementsfor some embodiments but not other embodiments.

The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinarymeanings in the art, within the context of the disclosure, and in thespecific context where each term is used. Certain terms that are used todescribe the disclosure are discussed below, or elsewhere in thespecification, to provide additional guidance to the practitionerregarding the description of the disclosure. For convenience, certainterms may be highlighted, for example using italics and/or quotationmarks: The use of highlighting has no influence on the scope and meaningof a term; the scope and meaning of a term is the same, in the samecontext, whether or not it is highlighted.

It will be appreciated that the same thing can be said in more than oneway.

Consequently, alternative language and synonyms may be used for any oneor more of the terms discussed herein. No special significance is to beplaced upon whether or not a term is elaborated or discussed herein.Synonyms for certain terms are provided. A recital of one or moresynonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examplesanywhere in this specification including examples of any terms discussedherein is illustrative only, and is not intended to further limit thescope and meaning of the disclosure or of any exemplified term.Likewise, the disclosure is not limited to various embodiments given inthis specification.

Without intent to further limit the scope of the disclosure, examples ofinstruments, apparatus, methods and their related results according tothe embodiments of the present disclosure are given below. Note thattitles or subtitles may be used in the examples for convenience of areader, which in no way should limit the scope of the disclosure. Unlessotherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein havethe same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in theart to which this disclosure pertains. In the case of conflict, thepresent document, including definitions, will control.

It will be appreciated that terms such as “front,” “back,” “top,”“bottom,” “side,” “short,” “long,” “up,” “down,” “aft,” “forward,”“inboard,” “outboard” and “below” used herein are merely for ease ofdescription and refer to the orientation of the components as shown inthe figures. It should be understood that any orientation of thecomponents described herein is within the scope of the presentinvention.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for purposes ofillustrating the present invention and not for purposes of limiting thesame, FIGS. 1-8 show embodiments of a portable percussive massage device10 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1-2, in a preferred embodiment, the percussive massagedevice 10 generally includes a housing 12 that defines a housinginterior 14, a reciprocating shaft 16 and an attachment member 18(secured on the distal end 16 a of the reciprocating shaft 16) forsecuring a massage member or attachment thereto. In a preferredembodiment, the device includes one of the attachment members 18disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 10,557,490 (the '490 patent), the entirety ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference. The attachment member 18 isused to attach a treatment member or massage attachment 19 (see FIG. 8).The male attachment member 18 shown in the drawings is similar to theembodiment shown in FIGS. 11-13 in the '490 patent. However, theembodiments shown in any of FIGS. 1-10 in the '490 patent or any othersystem for connecting a massage attachment to a percussive massagedevice can also be used. For example, in another embodiment, thereciprocating shaft 16 can include a female attachment member that mateswith a male attachment member on the massage attachment 19.

As shown in FIG. 2, the device 10 also includes a battery or batteries20 (or other electrical source, such as an AC plug), a motor 22positioned in the housing, and a switch 24 for activating the motor. Ina preferred embodiment, the motor 22 is a brushless direct current(BLDC) motor. The motor 22 and is configured to vary the speed (i.e.,rotational motion) that may be converted to reciprocal motion, asdescribed below. In other embodiments, the motor is a brushed DC motor,a brushed AC motor, or a brushless AC motor. One of ordinary skill inthe art would understand that choosing a brushless or brushed motor, ordirect current or alternating current, may vary depending on theapplication and intended size, battery power, and use. The battery 20 ispositioned in a battery recess 20 a defined in the housing 12 and iselectrically connected or communicated with the PCB 21, which controlsthe operation of the device 10. In a preferred embodiment, the switch 24is a push button whose operation is controlled to turn the device on andoff, change speeds, change modes, etc. The housing 12 can also includelights 23 that show status, such as on/off or which speed or mode thedevice is set to. A long push of the button 24 can turn the device on oroff and short pushes of the button 24 can changes speeds or modes. ThePCB 21 and associated controller are communicated with the motor 22. Itwill be appreciated that wiring is not shown in the drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 2-4, in a preferred embodiment, the percussive massagedevice 10 includes a motor mount bracket 26 positioned in the housinginterior 14. Preferably, the motor mount bracket 26 includes a middlemember 28 having first and second opposite sides 28 a and 28 b. Themotor 22 is positioned on the first side 28 a and the reciprocatingshaft 16 is positioned on the second side 28 b of the middle member 28.The middle member 28 includes a shaft opening 30 defined therein. Themotor 22 includes a rotatable motor shaft 32 extending therefrom thatextends from the first side 28 a of the middle member 28, through theshaft opening 30 and to the second side 28 b of the middle member 28.Preferably, the motor 22 is secured to the motor mount bracket 26 viathreaded fasteners. However, other attachments, such as welding, gluing,rivets, bolts and the like are within the scope of the presentinvention.

In a preferred embodiment, the motor mount bracket 26 includes flanges44 extending from the middle member 28. The flanges 44 partially definea motor space 46 where at least a portion of the motor 22 is housed. Themiddle member 28 also includes a plurality of feet 48 extendingtherefrom that include tubular members 49 and securing openings 50defined therein. Dampening rings 51 and dampening washers are alsoincluded. All dampening components herein are made of rubber, siliconeor the like and are provided to prevent plastic to plastic or plastic tometal contact and to reduce noise and vibration.

As shown in FIGS. 3-4, dampening rings 51 are received in tubularmembers 49 on a first side of feet 48 and dampening washers 52 arepositioned on the second side of the feet 58. Threaded fasteners 53 orthe like extend through the dampening rings 51, tubular members 49,securing openings 50, dampening washers 52 and are received in threadedfemale securing members 58 on the inner surface of the second housinghalf 12 b to secure the motor mount bracket 26 within the housinginterior 14. Securing posts 55 (see FIG. 3) are received in the tubularmembers 49 and extend into tubular rings 51 to secure the motor mount 26to the first housing half 12 a. The securing posts 55 provide aninterference fit with the tubular members 49 to secure the motor mountbracket 26 to the first housing half 12 a. In a preferred embodiment,the securing posts 55 are tapered from the top or free end thereof (orinclude tapered flanges) to provide the interference fit with thetubular members. A dampening member 57 is positioned between the motormount 26 and the second housing half 12 b to prevent direct contact ofthe motor mount 26 against the second housing half 12 b.

In a preferred embodiment, the rotation of the motor shaft 32 isconverted to reciprocating motion of the reciprocating shaft 16 via alinkage assembly (or push rod assembly) 34 that includes a push rod 36that is pivotably connected to the reciprocating shaft 16 (see pivot pin37) and an offset member 38 that includes a counterweight 40. An offsetshaft 42 extending from the offset member 38 is operatively connected(e.g., pivotably connected) to the push rod 36. It will be appreciatedthat the axis of the offset shaft 42 is offset from the axis of rotationof the motor shaft 32. In a preferred embodiment, the push rod 36 (or atleast a majority thereof), offset member 38 and counterweight 40 are allpositioned on the first side 14 a of the housing interior 14 (i.e., onthe same side of the housing interior as the motor.

As shown in FIGS. 3-4, the reciprocating shaft 16 extends through andreciprocates within a bush assembly 60, that generally includes a bush62, dampening bush cover 64, washer 73 and bush holding structure 66.Bush 62 is received in the central opening 64 a of dampening bush cover64, which is received in the central opening 66 a of bush holdingstructure 66. The reciprocating shaft 16 extends through the centralopening 62 a of bush 62. Dampening screw guides 70 and dampening halves72 (which preferably have a curved shape) help damp the reciprocation ofthe reciprocating shaft 16 through the bush assembly 60. To connect thebush assembly 60 to the housing 12, threaded fasteners are extendedthrough openings in the dampening screw guides, through openings inwings 68 extending from the bush holding structure 66 and into femalesecuring members 71 (see FIG. 4). Dampening halves 72 are positionedbetween the bush assembly 60 and the housing halves 12 a and 12 b.Securing protrusions 74 extending from the dampening halves 72 extendinto securing openings 76 defined in the housing halves 12 a and 12 b.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment, where the motor mount 26 and bushholding structure 66 are part of a unitary mounting structure 80. Theremaining components are the same or similar to the embodiment discussedherein where the motor mount 26 and bush holding structure 66 areseparate pieces.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, in a preferred embodiment, the reciprocatingshaft 16 includes a distal end that defines a reciprocation axis A2. Thehousing defines a housing axis A2. In a preferred embodiment, thereciprocation axis A2 and the housing axis A2 are co-axial. As shown inFIG. 2, the housing 12 includes a first side portion 25 and a secondside portion 27 that cooperate to define the housing interior 14 and aredefined on opposite sides of the reciprocation axis A2. Preferably, themotor 22 is positioned in the first side portion 25 and the battery 20is positioned in the second side portion 27. Preferably, the motor andentire drive train, prior to the reciprocating shaft 16 (with respect tothe drive train), is positioned in the first side portion 25 (i.e., onthe first side of the reciprocation axis A2) and the battery 20, PCB 21and associated electronic components (other than all wires) and theswitch 24 are all located in the second side portion 27 (i.e., on thesecond side of the reciprocation axis A2). As shown in FIG. 2, the motorshaft 32 defines a motor axis A3. In a preferred embodiment, the motoraxis A3 is perpendicular to the reciprocation axis A2 and extendsthrough the battery 20. The motor axis A3 can also be co-axial with theswitch 24.

In use, a user grasps the device by placing their hand, and, inparticular, their palm against the top 12 d of the housing (as shown inFIGS. 7 and 8) at a position wherein the reciprocation axis A2 extendsthrough their palm. This allows the user to provide a push force in linewith the reciprocation axis A2. The user can then use the device tomassage one or more body parts with the removably attached massageattachment and to change attachments as desired. The device can begripped differently if desired. It will be appreciated that the devicecan be paired

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the device 500 is preferably shaped toergonomically fit into a user's palm. Preferably, the outer surface 12 cof the housing 12 tapers (front, back, left side and right side) fromthe top toward the opening 84 through which the reciprocal shaft 16extends. In another embodiment, the reciprocal shaft 16 may becompletely retained within the housing 12 and does not extend throughopening 84. In this embodiment, the reciprocal shaft 16 includes afemale attachment member on the distal end thereof and the massageattachment 19 includes a male attachment member that extends throughopening 84 and mates with the reciprocal shaft 16.

In a preferred embodiment, the housing 12 includes finger recesses 82 onopposite sides where a user can place their fingers on one side andthumb on the other side, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. In a preferredembodiment, the percussive massage device 10 and housing 12 aregenerally symmetrical both left and right (as shown in FIGS. 2 and 8)and front and back (as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7). As shown in FIG. 2, dueto the button 24 and the opening 24 a therefor and the charging port 83,the device is not completely symmetrical left to right. This meets thedefinition of “generally symmetrical.” Similar openings and additionsfall within the definition of generally symmetrical.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout thedescription and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and thelike are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to anexclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of“including, but not limited to.” As used herein, the terms “connected,”“coupled,” or any variant thereof, means any connection or coupling,either direct or indirect, between two or more elements; the coupling ofconnection between the elements can be physical, logical, or acombination thereof. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below,”and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall referto this application as a whole and not to any particular portions ofthis application. Where the context permits, words in the above DetailedDescription of the Preferred Embodiments using the singular or pluralnumber may also include the plural or singular number respectively. Theword “or” in reference to a list of two or more items, covers all of thefollowing interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, allof the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list.

The above-detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the teachings to the precise formdisclosed above. While specific embodiments of and examples for thedisclosure are described above for illustrative purposes, variousequivalent modifications are possible within the scope of thedisclosure, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize.Further, any specific numbers or dimensions noted herein are onlyexamples: alternative implementations may employ differing values,measurements, dimensions or ranges.

The teachings of the disclosure provided herein can be applied to othersystems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements andacts of the various embodiments described above can be combined toprovide further embodiments. Any measurements described or used hereinare merely exemplary and not a limitation on the present invention.Other measurements can be used. Further, any specific materials notedherein are only examples: alternative implementations may employdiffering materials.

Any patents and applications and other references noted above, includingany that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety. Aspects of the disclosure can bemodified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions, and conceptsof the various references described above to provide yet furtherembodiments of the disclosure.

These and other changes can be made to the disclosure in light of theabove Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments. While the abovedescription describes certain embodiments of the disclosure, anddescribes the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the aboveappears in text, the teachings can be practiced in many ways. Details ofthe system may vary considerably in its implementation details, whilestill being encompassed by the subject matter disclosed herein. As notedabove, particular terminology used when describing certain features oraspects of the disclosure should not be taken to imply that theterminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specificcharacteristics, features or aspects of the disclosure with which thatterminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the followingclaims should not be construed to limit the disclosures to the specificembodiments disclosed in the specification unless the above DetailedDescription of the Preferred Embodiments section explicitly defines suchterms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the disclosure encompasses notonly the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways ofpracticing or implementing the disclosure under the claims.

Accordingly, although exemplary embodiments of the invention have beenshown and described, it is to be understood that all the terms usedherein are descriptive rather than limiting, and that many changes,modifications, and substitutions may be made by one having ordinaryskill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A percussive massage device comprising: a housingthat defines a housing interior, a thickness, a width and a height, abattery, a motor positioned in the housing, a switch for activating themotor, and a reciprocating shaft operatively connected to the motor andconfigured to reciprocate in response to activation of the motor,wherein the reciprocating shaft includes a distal end that defines areciprocation axis, wherein the reciprocation axis defines a thicknessreciprocation plane that extends transversely through the thickness ofthe housing and divides the housing into first and second side portions,and wherein the first side portion is symmetrical to the second sideportion except for any openings or ports defined in the housing.
 2. Thepercussive massage device of claim 1 wherein the motor is positioned inthe first side portion.
 3. The percussive massage device of claim 2wherein the motor includes a rotatable motor shaft that defines a motoraxis, wherein the motor axis is perpendicular to the reciprocation axis.4. The percussive massage device of claim 1 wherein the housing definesa housing axis, and wherein the reciprocation axis and the housing axisare co-axial.
 5. The percussive massage device of claim 1 wherein thereciprocation axis defines a width reciprocation plane that extendsthrough the width of the housing to divide the housing into front andback portions, wherein the width reciprocation plane is perpendicular tothe thickness reciprocation plane, and wherein the front portion issymmetrical to the back portion except for any openings or ports definedin the housing.
 6. The percussive massage device of claim 1 furthercomprising a motor mount bracket that includes a middle member havingfirst and second opposite sides, wherein the motor is positioned on thefirst side of the middle member and the reciprocating shaft ispositioned on the second side of the middle member.
 7. The percussivemassage device of claim 6 wherein the middle member includes a shaftopening defined therein, wherein the motor includes a rotatable motorshaft extending therefrom that extends from the first side of the middlemember, through the shaft opening and to the second side of the middlemember, wherein the reciprocating shaft is operatively connected to themotor shaft.
 8. The percussive massage device of claim 1 furthercomprising a bush assembly through which the reciprocating shaftreciprocates, wherein the bush assembly includes first and seconddampening halves on opposite sides thereof that are positioned betweenthe bush assembly and the housing.
 9. The percussive massage device ofclaim 1 wherein the housing includes opposite finger recesses definedtherein.
 10. A percussive massage device comprising: a housing thatdefines a housing interior, a housing axis, a thickness, a width and aheight, a battery, a motor positioned in the housing, wherein the motorincludes a rotatable motor shaft that defines a motor axis, a switch foractivating the motor, and a reciprocating shaft operatively connected tothe motor and configured to reciprocate in response to activation of themotor, wherein the reciprocating shaft includes a distal end thatdefines a reciprocation axis, wherein the reciprocation axis and thehousing axis are co-axial, wherein the motor axis is perpendicular tothe reciprocation axis, wherein the reciprocation axis defines athickness reciprocation plane that extends transversely through thethickness of the housing and divides the housing into first and secondside portions, wherein the motor is positioned in the first sideportion, wherein the first side portion is symmetrical to the secondside portion except for any openings or ports defined in the housing,wherein the reciprocation axis defines a width reciprocation plane thatextends through the width of the housing to divide the housing intofront and back portions, wherein the width reciprocation plane isperpendicular to the thickness reciprocation plane, and wherein thefront portion is symmetrical to the back portion except for any openingsor ports defined in the housing.
 11. The percussive massage device ofclaim 10 wherein the front portion of the housing includes a frontfinger recess, and wherein the back portion of the housing includes aback finger recess.
 12. A method of using a percussive massage devicethat includes a housing that defines a housing interior, a thickness, awidth and a height, a battery, a motor positioned in the housing, aswitch for activating the motor, and a reciprocating shaft operativelyconnected to the motor and configured to reciprocate in response toactivation of the motor, wherein the reciprocating shaft includes adistal end that defines a reciprocation axis, wherein the reciprocationaxis defines a thickness reciprocation plane that extends transverselythrough the thickness of the housing and divides the housing into firstand second side portions, and wherein the first side portion issymmetrical to the second side portion except for any openings or portsdefined in the housing, wherein the method comprises the steps of:grasping the housing with a first hand having a palm, fingers and athumb, positioning the first hand such that the reciprocation axisextends through the palm, and massaging a first body part with a massageattachment connected to the distal end of the reciprocating shaft. 13.The method of claim 12 wherein the reciprocation axis defines a widthreciprocation plane that extends through the width of the housing todivide the housing into front and back portions, wherein the widthreciprocation plane is perpendicular to the thickness reciprocationplane, and wherein the front portion is symmetrical to the back portionexcept for any openings or ports defined in the housing.
 14. The methodof claim 13 wherein the housing defines a housing axis, and wherein thereciprocation axis and the housing axis are co-axial.
 15. The method ofclaim 12 wherein the housing includes opposite first and second fingerrecesses defined therein, and wherein during the grasping step includesgrasping the housing and placing the fingers in the first finger recessand the thumb in the second finger recess.